Black History Knowledge
Black History Knowledge — May 12
What happened on this day. These are the May 12 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on.
May 12, 1968 — Poor People’s Campaign moves forward in Washington, D.C.
Category: Civil Rights / Economic Justice / King Legacy / Poverty
The Poor People’s Campaign moved forward after Dr. King’s assassination, bringing poor people to Washington, D.C., to demand economic justice.
Why it matters: This connects civil rights to housing, jobs, hunger, wages, welfare policy, and poverty.
May 12, 1969 — First annual Black Arts Festival begins at Penn State
Category: Black Arts Movement / Campus Activism / Cultural Power
Penn State’s first annual Black Arts Festival began on May 12, 1969.
Why it matters: This is a campus-based example of Black students using art, culture, and institutional pressure to assert Black identity.
May 12, 1970 — Augusta uprising continues
Category: Racial Violence / Jail Death / Black Protest / Police Violence
The Augusta uprising continued after the death of Charles Oatman, with the National Guard called in and six Black men killed.
Why it matters: This is one of the most important May 12 Black American events because it shows the deep anger around jail deaths, police power, and systemic neglect.
